So where do you find inspiration? Start by looking around you. You may own a beloved painting that you want to include in the room or have bought a pillow that you can’t live without. If after looking around, you are still baffled, take time to look through magazines and even pictures on the internet. Collect photos of rooms and items that catch your attention. At this point, don’t put too much thought into this exercise, as thinking too much at this point can block the creative process. In fact, grab a cup of tea and with scissors in hand have some fun exploring the world of design.

Once you have an assortment of pictures, go through them and pick out your favorites. Finally, select one or two that incorporate the colors you love, has the “feel” that you’d like to create, or even a specific look or style that you want to copy.

Your inspiration photo or item should be a personal guide throughout your project. Carry it with you, as you can refer back to it when shopping and even show it to sales people when looking for guidance or when searching for a particular item. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!